Althingi may grant Icelandic citizenship by legislation. If an applicant does not meet the conditions of the Icelandic Nationality Act (No. 100/1952) to be granted Icelandic citizenship, he/she can request for his/her application to be submitted to Althingi. Applications are generally submitted to Althingi twice a year, in spring-time and in December.

A special application form for a parliamentary procedure needs to be filled out. The application shall contain general information on the applicant him-/herself and his/her family situation and a concrete reasoning for the request for an exemption from the Nationality Act. In addition to the reasoning the applicant can submit a more detailed memorandum for the reasons for his/her exemption request. The processing fee is 15.000 ISK.

In the first half of 2016 the Directorate of Immigration processed almost as many applications for protection as in the whole year of 2015. 53 individuals were granted asylum or other protection in Iceland, the largest nationality group being Iraqis (17). The largest nationality group among protection seekers so far this year are Albanians.

The Directorate of Immigration has received numerous inquiries about what consequences the results of the Brexit referendum have on the possibilities of UK citizens to travel to and reside in Iceland. Nothing has yet changed regarding the rules and conditions under which UK citizens can travel to and reside in Iceland. The rules and conditions regarding EEA/EFTA citizens remain applicable for UK citizens unless otherwise announced.

The Directorate of Immigration cannot issue new residence permit cards at the moment. New cards have been orderd and are expected in early June. Until the order has been delivered residence permit cards will only be issued when necessary due to travelling of permit holders. Plane tickets must be presented in such cases.

The Directorate of Immigration's stock of travel documents for refugees is depleted. The documents have been ordered and are expected in June. Until the order has been delivered the Directorate of Immigration cannot issue travel documents for refugees. Please contact the Directorate in case of emergency.